Horiuchi Samurai Residence is a high-rank Samurai residence of Hagi Castle located in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Hagi castle was constructed in 1608 by Mori Terumoto. This residence is a part of the 3rd bailey of the castle. There are many Samurai houses and their structures such as the gates, walls and buildings, especially you can enjoy buildings high-rank Samurai houses. Especially, Samurai House Walls are the main feature of this spot. This area is registered as the Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
Northern Gate
The Kita no Somon, was one of only three possible entrances to the heavily fortified castle. Along with the Naka no Somon (Middle Gate) and Hiyaku no Somon, the gate was monitored extremely closely as it provided access to the sannomaur, the outermost bailey of Hagi Castle. During daylight hours, guards scrutinized everyone who passed through the gate. At night, the guards locked the gates and only allowed those with special permits to enter.
The samurai retainers to the Mori Family lived within the sannomaru. Although they were protected by a moat and a wall, their streets were designed to slow down any invading force that breached the castle's outer defenses. However, the outer defenses were never breached, and the gates were removed in 1871, after the Tokugawa shogunate had come to an end. In doing so, the Meiji government gave ordinary citizens unrestricted access to the fortifications that had once been closed to them. The dismantling of not only the gates but the rest of the castle's structures in the following years reflected the newfound mindset of the Miji era - a period that marked the end of samurai rule and the open embrace of Western ideas and technology.
The Old Masuda Family Watchtower
The Masuda family were chief retainers of the Hagi Domain Feudal Lord. The tall watchtower which was constructed a top the stone wall is 11m high. It is thought to have been used as a storehouse for weapons, and also to coverlook the riding riding grounds which surrounded it.
Old Gate to the Tenement House of the Hanzawa Family
The Hanzawa clan was related to the Agawa Mori clan and was one of the Hagi feudal clans, with a fief that included Misumi village in Otsu District and Ogawa village in Abu District.
The Tenement House Gate of the Suu Old Residence
The tenement house gate of the Suu Family, the sixth highest class in the Hagi clan. This building shows the typical samurai tenement house style of the middle Edo era. It has been preserved so well that the excellent designs can be seen on the metal fittings of the thick lattice windows and the decorations, called Gegyo under the roof.
The Mud Wall at Toida Masuda Resicence
The Toida Masuda was a branch of the Masudas that served Hagi Domain as senior retainers. The Toida Masuda acquired its name because they owned land in Toida. In Horiuchi district, the area near the ruins of Hagi castle, houses are surrounded by high mud walls. The area has been designated as an Important District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the Government of Japan. The mud wall is 231.7m in length.
The Front gate of a detached residence of Mori clan